Dead Man's Penny; Rosemary; 2 Hats; Deep thinkers

The Dead Man's Penny. Shown actual size. No enlargement.

The WW1 Memorial Plaque and Scroll

It was decided during World War One that all next of kin of service personnel who lost their lives as a result of the war would be presented with a memorial plaque and commemorative scroll from the King and country. The plaques were cast in bronze and were approximately five inches (125 mm) in diameter. On the plaque itself no rank was given as the intention was to show equality in their sacrifice. (Photograph by Ken Davey)

The troops referred to them as "The Dead Man's Penny". (left, approx actual size)

click for The Dead Man's Letter

The Scroll (below) was sent at the same time.

Click

Notification of Death Telegram

In the case of death the next of kin was notified by an urgent (pink) telegram. A telegram was a telegraphic message sent from one Post Office to another and then written or typed onto a flimsy sheet of paper, enclosed in an envelope and delivered by a boy on a bicycle. The sight of the Telegram Boy approaching was feared and hated.

Note. . .a penny was the smallest whole unit of currency in the British Imperial system. In Australia it was replaced by the cent in 1966. There were 12 pennies (pence) in 1 shilling. Diggers were paid 6 shillings (bob) a day. Ten shillings made what we now call a dollar.

This scroll was sent with the Dead Man's Penny.

No enlargement. Rosemary for remembrance.

Rosemary is a small perennial shrub of the mint family. This compact evergreen, with clusters of small light blue flowers and leaves that yield a fragrant essential oil used in making perfume and to flavour food, is native to the Mediterranean region. Legend says that the Virgin Mary, while resting, spread her cloak over a white flowering rosemary bush. The flowers turned the blue of her cloak, and from then on the bush was referred to as the "Rose of Mary".

This plant was, in ancient times, supposed to strengthen memory.

Greek scholars wore rosemary in their hair to help remember their studies, and the association with remembrance has carried through to modern times. In literature and folklore it is an emblem of remembrance. On ANZAC Day, the wearing of small sprigs of rosemary in the coat lapel, pinned to the breast or held in place by medals is thus synonymous with remembrance and commemoration.

Peaked caps (Caps, Service Dress) were worn by soldiers of the 1st A.I.F.

This form of head-dress was in fact a standard item of issue to other-ranks of the A.I.F., along with the slouch hat. It should be noted, however, that this of style of cap differed in quality and style from that worn by officers. As you will have noticed, the cap is very common in photographs taken whilst the men were in training camps in Australia, and as you may have also observed is commonly seen in photographs taken at Gallipoli.

In fact , it has been recorded that many of those in the initial landings chose the cap for wear because of its British appearance. At this time many individuals looked up to the traditions and reputation of the British 'Tommy' . However, following growing disillusionment resulting from perceived let-downs by the Brits, a new desire to be distinguished as Australian's quickly appeared, and in many cases caps were quickly replaced by the distinctive felt hat when supplies became available. At the same time growing concern by medical authorities over the lack of protection afforded by the cap also influenced the change-over. Although the cap remained standard issue throughout the war, it was not taken to the battlefields of France and Belgium.

At Gallipoli and for a short time after men who had not joined in 1915 were referred to by the 'old diggers' as "Deep Thinkers" as they took so long to think about joining. This kept up for a while but was eventually replaced by the term "Fair Dinkums" as it was realized that anyone who joined after reading the casualty lists from Gallipoli and the early battles in France/Flanders must be "fair dinkum".

It did not stop the 4 'fighting' Divisions having a shot at our 3rd Division for being slow off the mark, until of course, Messines and Passchendaele and a dozen other battles including that terrible time on the Somme when the British Fifth Army crumbled and the 3rd Division was all that stood between the onrushing victory flushed German Army and almost certain defeat. At places like Morlancourt and Villers Bretonneux they stopped them, they turned them and they led the Allies to Victory, soon after. Sounds a bit like "The Man from Snowy River" in a different context. . .

So , with apologies to Banjo Paterson for pinching part of the second last verse of his famous poem,

Our blokes fought them single handed on that blood soaked Flanders loam

We fought 'em till we stopped 'em in their track

Till they halted, cowed and beaten; till they turned their heads for home

and alone and unassisted, we sent 'em back.

The question is often asked, "If 3 Division were last into the Line they must have been formed after 4th & 5th Divisions. Why form 4 and 5 if 3 was not yet formed?". The answer is simple. 3 Division WAS formed before 4th & 5th Divisions but it was formed in Australia of brand new recruits. 4th & 5th Divvies were formed in Egypt from experienced men from 1st & 2nd Divisions and trained but inexperienced reinforcements that had been sent to those Gallipoli Divisions. 3 Div was formed very early in 1916. 4th & 5th were formed later in the same year.